Good Hawaiian Words For Malihinis

FROM THE OLD LAHAINA SUN

The people of Maui use a good number of Hawaiian words in their everyday speech. Everyone is already familiar with a number of such words which have made their way into standard English: lei, luau, lanai, muu muu, aloha, hula. Others commonly heard on Maui are:

Haole (HOW-lee) White person; Caucasian

Kahuna (kuh-HOO-nuh) Priest; sorceror

Kamaaina (kah-mah-EYE-nuh) Oldtimer; longtime resident

Kane (KAH-nay) Man or boy

Kapu (kah-POO) Forbidden; no trespassing

Kau Kau (COW COW) To eat

Kokua (ko-KOO-uh) Help; assistance

Mahalo (mah-HAH-lo) Thank you

Makai (mah-KAI) Toward the ocean; on the ocean side of something,such as the makai side of the road

Mauka (MOW-kuh) (MOW rhymes with cow) Toward the mountains; on the inland side of something